Put the first treatment on the lawn… Decided that 2 large bags is to much, 1 large and 1 small should do the trick for future applications.
This weekend we finally had some nicer weather with temps in the upper 60’s. Saturday was spent working in the front garden getting all the dead day lilies and leaves picked up. Somehow it was missed in the fall cleanup. Tallmonster was happy to help since he got to drive the tractor and wagon to the backyard mulch pile. I haven’t seen Tallmonster so eager to help with yard work! We decided to treat the jmonsters to dinner out since they both did well on their report cards. We went to Sagebrush Steak House since our first choice was packed. They both liked the restaurant since they had peanuts in a bucket but they too were busy and ended up waiting over an hour for our food. Mommy and Daddy left grumbling that it wasn’t worth the long wait but the jmonsters seemed happy so it was a nice time.
Sunday was even nicer with warmer temperatures and plenty of sunshine. Mommy and Daddy were determined to get some more work done on the Adirondack Chair project that has been put on winter hiatus. We decided to put together what Daddy had cut out and were able to get the 4 frames done. Still lots to do but at least we have something tangible to look at. Who knows, maybe we will get them done by late Spring! All and all a great weekend but of course it was too short…
The Tallone had to make a catapult for a science project due on Monday. He had been mentioning it for a couple of weeks now, but Daddy didn’t quite get the gist that it was an official school project, nor that a deadline was looming.
A quick Google search and we had locate a pretty easy design and thanks to StormtheCastle.com we had the prototype done withing a couple of hours. The plans for the Table-Top Troll Catapult were just what we needed and we were catapulting tin foil balls all over the yard.
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| From 2009 Misc |
The infamous day the water stopped started like any other Friday morning. The jmonsters were up and at’em at 6:00: 6:20 for the Tallone, he needed a cattle prod to get his lazy bones a moving. Daddy was slipping back into his drill sergeant role barking orders to get things tight and brush teeth, comb hair, and get the back packs in order.
The only exception was the fact the outside temperature was single digits. Eight degrees to be exact and the only hint of trouble was a slow trickle in the kitchen facet. We got the jmonsters on the school bus and went about our morning routine, minus the walk because it was too cold.
Mommy, was quick out of the shower as she ran out of water it was long enough that she was able to rinse off, so no harm no foul. We went through our plan of action of placing the light bulb under the fake rock and waited for the pipe(s) to unfreeze. Mommy headed for work and Daddy to the office to field phone calls and do paper work.
At 3:00 in the afternoon there still wasn’t any water. Daddy had kind of forgotten about it, and Mommy was a little miffed when she got home. We upped the stakes and put a heater as well as the light bulb under the rock, and Mom headed for the store to get a blow torch. Daddy read on the internet that the blow torch thing wasn’t such a good idea, something with steam and exploding pipes, none of which sounded too appealing.
We regrouped at 6:00 and decided it was best to pack it up and head for a hotel, as the dishes were starting to pile, the toilets were getting pretty gross, and Daddy still hadn’t showered that day. So we cashed in a few miles and stayed at the Hilton Garden because it had an indoor pool. We had dinner at the IHOP and headed over to our new digs, where the jmonsters bobbed in the pool and hot tub.
Mommy and Daddy were asleep before the kids, but they were the first ones up. We breakfasted on all you can eat breakfast bar, another jmonster favorite, and by this time Mommy and Daddy were pretty sick of breakfast foods. We headed back for the house, (Smallmonster had a basket ball game which he lost in overtime the Smallone missed the game winner at the end of regulation).
Daddy stayed home to get the plumbers on the phone as there was no relief from the tap. The well driller guys were over in about an hour and after a few moments under the house it was declared that the pump was bad. Daddy remarked nervously that it sounded expensive, which was countered by a grunt and a “Uh-Huh”.
The next thing we knew there was 400’ of pipe snaking up and back through the back yard, and the good ole’ well boys were back in the truck headed for the shop to get a special pump, that they don’t carry on the truck. Daddy again remarked nervously that sounds expensive, followed by more grunting.
They returned and placed the gold plated pump at the end of the pipe and lowered the assembly back down the hole. 400’ feet of pipe go back in a hole a lot quicker than 400’ comes out. In a jiffy they were done, and we were back in business flushing toilets, washing dishes, hands and faces. One asked if the new pump was expensive, Daddy explained that it took the place of any thoughts of a 52” flat screen TV hanging on the wall. Oh well, not much you can do without water and it’s off to Myrtle Beach…
Mommy and Daddy finished up the first (prototype) build of Jake’s Chair. This is the first project since Daddy bought his new table saw and router table (while mommy was away). After much cursing about the band saw (that is now on its way to the rescue mission) and spending the morning sanding away all the teeth marks from the saw, he was ready for assembly. Mommy was recruited to help and we spent the afternoon putting it together. We only ran into a small problem with the parts getting mixed up and some extra holes being drilled but nothing wood putty won’t fix. For a first time “chair project” Daddy was pretty pleased. It will look nice next to the fire pit while we roast marshmallows, but needs a coat of red paint to finish it off. Now he only needs to build three more after he buys more tools…
Today we put in a rain barrel to help with the drought and support a good cause. The Davidson County Community College Zoo and Aquarium Club were selling 60 gallon rain barrels so Mommy and Tallmonster drove to the college to pick one up. After our usual hemming and hawing we decided to put it in the back yard near the screened in porch and closest to the garden. We decided to put it on cinder blocks so Daddy went off to Lowe’s in search of supplies. We initially thought we would put it two high but after seeing how far it was in the air we decided one was enough. Besides, we figure smallmonster will be the one watering with his little water can which will fit fine under the water spout. Not long after we got it installed and the downspout cut, it started to rain. We are hopeful that it will fill up! Maybe now that we are trying to be drought conscience it will rain more…
Here are some pictures of the finished painting projects throughout the house. The hall and stairs are two shades of green while we went back to yellow for the kitchen. Daddy likes having a bright, cheerful kitchen (must help him get going in the morning).The electric blue room is now the darker shade of green from the hallway and we are pleased with how it has turned out. Only took one coat of primer to cover up that bright blue (thank goodness) and it is now much brighter during the day. Now the fun part: decorating…
The jmonsters have been asking when we could get make a fire pit in the backyard. They have always wanted one and now that we have the space it was time. The County lifted the fire ban so we decided to head over to the Farmer’s Market since Daddy saw a fire pit there that he wanted to show Mommy. We liked how it was a simple circle made out of cement blocks so we went ahead and got some. After some complaining by the jmonsters about lugging the bricks ALL the way to the backyard, we picked out a spot and made our circle. Pretty simple and so we gathered a bunch of sticks and made a small fire. It was a good day for it since it was overcast and chilly. The jmonsters even ate their lunch by the fire and can’t wait to have smores, Daddy’s favorite…
Started to work on the garden along the back of the house. Removing sod we realized that the wheelbarrow didn’t make the trip South. We decided that we should get a trailer for the tractor instead. The jmonsters were very hip on the idea so they can go for rides around the yard. We are now looking for things to haul around.
Tallmonster’s room was next on Mommy’s painting list. The colors that he picked out were Planetarium Blue (or as mommy called it blue painter tape) for three walls and Bubblegum Red for the other wall. Mommy got to work on Friday afternoon prepping the room and covering all the molding with painter’s tape. The first coat of blue was on by the evening and it was evident that two coats would be needed. Mommy was hoping to get the red wall done as well but that would have to wait until Saturday. Early the next morning the second coat was on and we took a break to buy the tractor while the paint was drying. The blue came out great and Tallmonster really liked it.
Next came the red wall, which Mommy was worried about since red can be a tough color to paint. Sure enough as soon as the first brush stroke was on the wall Mommy knew that it was going to take several coats. Well, after THREE coats of red paint Mommy threw in the white towel and decided that the bed and posters would cover up most of the wall so maybe it wouldn’t look too bad. Tallmonster loves his bright blue and red room and Daddy calls it the Giants room since those are their colors. Mommy has decided Smallmonster’s room will have to wait until after Thanksgiving…
